Arm Exerciser for a Foot Pedal Operated Cycle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle handle with a resistance mechanism is provided such that the combination of the force that the user provides and that the resistance mechanism provides is a zero force directed towards steering the bicycle. The user provides a force on the bicycle handle which in turn overcomes the resistance mechanism to provide linear movement. A repetition of this movement provides a means of strengthening or maintaining the muscle tone of the user&#39;s upper body while they are riding the bicycle, thus providing a means of simultaneous exercise for the user&#39;s upper and lower body and back.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to mechanisms and machines which provide means of complete body exercise, and more particularly to bicycle handles which when combined with foot pedals provide means of complete body exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycles are in current use as a means of exercise, but only allow the user to exercise their lower body. The bicycle is convenient because it allows a user to go to different places easily or even around some of a user's favorite places as well while exercising. Exercise machines have been developed to provide a more comprehensive exercise but do not allow the user to enjoy such benefits of riding a bicycle. One of the main benefits of exercise machines is that they allow the user to simultaneously exercise all portions of their body. Some bicycles are equipped with a hand crank as a means of propelling the bicycle to help exercise the upper body, but such bicycles do not exercise the lower body.

The current invention combines the benefits of exercise machines and bicycles. The current invention provides for a mechanism that requires the user to move the bicycle handle repetitively in a linear motion under a set resistance. The linear motion does not produce a rotational force to turn the bicycle. This allows the user to maintain complete control of the bicycle at all times. By requiring the user to pedal the bicycle with their lower body and move the bicycle handle with their upper body, a complete exercise of the body is accomplished.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bicycle handle assembly with a linear resistance mechanism is provided. The assembly is adaptable to a wide range of bicycles to allow for easy implementation of the current invention. A locking mechanism is any mechanism which locks the bicycle handle assembly rotationally relative to the axis of rotation of the bicycle handle to allow for control of the bicycle while it is in motion. The bicycle assembly allows the user to move the bicycle handle in a linear direction preferably first away from the axis of rotation of the bicycle handle and then back to the original position of the bicycle handle. A resistance mechanism is any mechanism which opposes the linear movement of the bicycle handle. Examples of resistance mechanisms include an elastic cord, spring, or a pneumatic system. These examples are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

The bicycle assembly comprises a bicycle handle, guiding rods and tubes, a device which controls the linear movement of the bicycle handle, and resistance mechanisms. The bicycle handle allows user interface with the bicycle assembly. The user grasps the bicycle handle and operates the bicycle assembly as well as the bicycle itself. A guiding tube is any tubular member. A guiding rod is any member which extends from the bicycle handle and inserts into a guiding tube such that the guiding rod moves freely and linearly through the guiding tube. To integrate onto current bicycles the shaft on the bicycle handle assembly is inserted into the bicycle shaft and then the locking member is shouldered against the bicycle shaft to lock the bicycle assembly to the bicycle shaft. The bicycle shaft is the shaft on the bicycle which when rotated controls the front wheel.

An object of the current invention is to provide a bicycle which exercises the upper and lower body and the back simultaneously as the user rides the bicycle. The current invention provides for a bicycle handle that can be moved in a linear motion and provides resistance to this linear motion to provide exercise for the user's upper body. The current invention allows the user to maintain complete control of the bicycle by conventional means because the linear motion does not generate a force to turn the bicycle in either direction.

Another object of the current invention is to provide a bicycle handle assembly which is easily integrated onto current bicycles. By providing a locking mechanism common to those already in practice, the bicycle assembly fits onto the bicycles that are currently in common use.

The following US patents are relevant to bicycles and exercise machines: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,320,489, 2,603,486, 3,112,108, 3,193,305, 3,213,852, 3,572,699, 3,578,800, 3,964,742, 3,966,201, 4,071,235, 4,188,030, 4,257,588, 4,502,705, 4,521,012, 4,657,244, 4,712,789, 4,712,790, 4,757,988, 4,824,102, 4,932,649, 5,191,809, 5,443,434, 6,105,985, 6,152,859, 6,152,861, 6,793,608, 6,910,992, 7,455,627, 7,544,154, 8,021,277, 8,057,364, and 8,062,192.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment as assembled on the bicycle with a cutaway view of the existing bicycle shaft;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment with an alternative resistance mechanism; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment with a second alternative resistance mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 bicycle handle 14 provides two protrusions, 14 a and 14 b upon which the user grasps to both maintain control of the bicycle as well as operate the resistance mechanism. Bolt 15 passes through apertures 14 d and 13. Bolt 15 a passes through apertures 14 c and 13 a. The threaded portion of bolts 15 and 15 a match up to the threaded portions of nuts 16 and 16 a respectively, to restrain bicycle handle 14 relative to a first plate 10. Rods 17 and 17 a extend from a first plate 10 and insert into apertures 43 and 43 a on guiding tubes 41 and 41 a to provide means to guide the bicycle handle 14 linearly with respect to resistance members 50 and 50 a. Resistance member 50 passes through aperture 11 on a first plate 10 and aperture 42 on a second plate 40. Portions 51 and 51 b on resistance member 50 shoulder against a first plate 10 and a second plate 40 to keep resistance member 50 in place during operation. Resistance member 50 a passes through aperture 11 a on a first plate 10 and aperture 42 a on a second plate 40. Portions 51 a and 51 c on resistance member 50 a shoulder against a first plate 10 and a second plate 40 to keep resistance member 50 a in place during operation. Guiding tubes 41 and 41 a are permanently joined to a second plate 40. A locking member 31 contains a threaded portion 32 which matches the threaded portion on bolt 33 such that as bolt 33 is turned locking member 31 moves linearly towards shaft 30. Shaft 30 and locking member 31 are shaped such that as locking member 31 moves linearly towards shaft 30 locking member 31 moves off center from shaft 30 which causes shaft 30 and locking member 31 to shoulder against the bicycle shaft 80 on the bicycle and rotationally locks the mechanism relative to the bicycle shaft 80. Portion 36 on shaft 30 is permanently joined to a second plate 40 to constrain a second plate 40 to the bicycle which in turn provides a reaction force to the user input. Aperture 26 extends through guide bracket 25 and a second plate 40. Bolt 29 passes through aperture 26. The threaded portion on bolt 29 matches the threaded portion on nut 210 such that bolt 29 and nut 210 constrain guide bracket 25 to a second plate 40. The threaded portions on nuts 20 and 23 match the threaded portion of rod 24. Rod 24 passes through aperture 12 on a first plate 10 and is constrained when nuts 20 and 23 are threaded onto rod 24 and are situated on either side of a first plate 10. Washers 21 and 22 are situated between nut 20 and a first plate 10 and between nut 23 and a first plate 10, respectively. Rod 24 passes freely through aperture 27 and locking nut 28 is situated on rod 24 such that the linear motion of rod 24 is restrained when locking nut 28 shoulders against guide bracket 25.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in view of FIGS. 1 and 2, springs 60 and 61 provide linear resistance of a first plate 10 relative to a second plate 40. Referring now to FIG. 4 in view of FIGS. 1 and 2 pneumatic members 70, 70 a, 71, and 71 a provide linear resistance to the movement of a first plate 10 relative to a third plate 70. A third plate 70 is permanently joined to pneumatic members 70, 70 a, 71, and 71 a. Portion 36 on shaft 30 is permanently joined to a third plate 70 to constrain a third plate 70 to the bicycle which in turn provides a reaction force to the user input.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device of the present invention is made to retrofit onto existing cycles whether mobile or stationary and regardless of the number of wheels. It offers as much steering control as a standard cycle but with the option of getting additional upper body exercise using the bars that are mounted for reciprocal motion whether the cycle is going straight or whether a turn is being negotiated. The degree of resistance to bar movement can be varied to suit the strength of the rider. The bar is still located at its normal location so that riding the cycle with the device fitted presents no noticeable change from riding the cycle without the device of the present invention. The device components do not relatively rotate when the bar is turned but rather the plate 10, the guides 17, 17 a and the guide tubes 41, 41 a all turn together as does the potential energy source that has to be overcome such as coils 60. The potential energy source could also be a fluid that is pushed through an orifice in one direction and comes back through a one way valve in the opposite direction to bypass the orifice. It can also be a volume of compressible gas whose volume is reduced by rider force. It should be noted that the potential energy source can be integrated into the guide tubes 41, 41 a to eliminate the guide rods 50, and 50 a. Additionally a travel stop such as rod 24 going through bracket 25 is also optional. The plate 10 and bar 14 can optionally be a single integrated structure. The components can be made from a variety of materials to ensure durability and reduce weight such as thermoplastics or high strength and light weight metals such as titanium. The neural position for the bars can be forward so that force is required to pull the bars to the rider or the other way where the rider applies force to push the bars away. Stock control cables can be used as the cycle length of bar movement is short enough to accommodate such bar cycling with stock control cables for brakes or gear shifting. The cycle can be two or more wheels for mobility of it can be a stationary exercise cycle in which case the handlebar need not rotate with respect to the cycle frame. The offered resistance to movement of handlebar 14 can be constant and adjustable to the rider's conditioning or as another alternative the resistance can be made to progressively increase with greater handlebar displacement.

The above description is illustrative of the preferred embodiment and many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention whose scope is to be determined from the literal and equivalent scope of the claims below. 

I claim:
 1. A device for a foot pedal operated cycle, said cycle having a frame, comprising: a base connectable to the cycle frame; a movable handlebar supported by said base for reciprocal planar movement against a resisting force.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: said base and said handlebar are rotatably mounted with respect to the frame.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein: said base further comprises at least one tubular guide that accepts a guide rod for producing said reciprocal planar movement of said handlebar.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein: said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein: said force generation device comprises at least one of a spring, a compressible gas and a fluid system with an orifice and a one way valve to bypass said orifice.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein: said base further comprises a travel stop for said handlebar.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein: said travel stop comprises a rod extending from said handlebar and passing through a bracket opening, said rod further comprises a nut that engages said bracket to define the stop location for said handlebar.
 8. The device of claim 3, wherein: said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction; said force generation device is located within said tubular guide.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein: said base comprises at least one spring mounted over a guide rod extending from said handlebar to said base.
 10. The device of claim 2, wherein: said base further comprises a plurality of substantially parallel tubular guides that accept a guide rod respectively for producing said reciprocal planar movement of said handlebar.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein: said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein: said force generation device comprises at least one of a spring, a compressible gas and a fluid system with an orifice and a one way valve to bypass said orifice.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein: said base further comprises a travel stop for said handlebar.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein: said travel stop comprises a rod extending from said handlebar and passing through a bracket opening, said rod further comprises a nut that engages said bracket to define the stop location for said handlebar.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein: said force generation device is located within said tubular guides.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein: said force generation device comprises at least one spring mounted over a guide rod extending from said handlebar to said base.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein: the force generated by said force generation device can be adjusted.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein: the force generated by said force generation device is constant or variable.
 19. The device of claim 4, wherein: the force generated by said force generation device can be adjusted.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein: the force generated by said force generation device is constant or variable. 